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Keyboard accessibility features

Java™ checkpoint 1.2

Do not interfere with keyboard accessibility features built into the operating system.

Rationale

Techniques

Testing

 

Rationale

The Windows operating system, CDE/Motif Unix systems, Linux, and others have a set of accessibility options which enable users with disabilities to customize system wide keyboard settings to improve accessibility. For example, a Windows user with a limited hand use may not be able to press multiple key stroke sequences, such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete, simultaneously. Setting the Sticky Keys option enables the user to press and release the keys individually to invoke the desired function. For example, the user can press and release the Shift key 5 times, then Ctrl, then Alt, then Delete to restart the Windows operating system.

Keyboard accessibility options make it possible for people with a variety of limited hand use disabilities to use their computer. If the application software interferes with these options, some users may find their application unusable.

On Windows systems, the Accessibility Options are customized using the Control Panel settings. On Unix systems, they are part of the AccessX package.

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Development techniques

The following techniques are the minimum required to meet Checkpoint 1.2 from the IBM Java Accessibility Checklist:

  • Use only Shift, Alt, and Control for application defined shift states.
  • Do not use keyboard sequences reserved for the accessibility features on your operating system as application defined shortcut keys. The accessibility features provided on the Windows, CDE/Motif and Macintosh include:
    Windows
    • StickyKeys enable users to press multiple key strokes like Ctrl-Alt-Delete by pressing one key at a time. The keyboard shortcut to enable StickyKeys is to press the Shift key 5 times.
    • FilterKeys enable users to slow the keyboard repeat rate. The keyboard shortcut to enable FilterKeys to hold down the right Shift key for 8 seconds.
    • ToggleKeys enable users to hear tones when the Caps lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys are pressed. The keyboard shortcut to enable ToggleKeys is to hold down the Num Lock key for 5 seconds.
    • High contrast support enables users to set the default system color and font scheme to one that is easier to read. The keyboard shortcut to enable High Contrast support is Left-Alt key+Left-Shift key+PrintScreen key.
    • MouseKeys enable users to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard. The keyboard shortcut to enable MouseKeys is Left-Alt key+Left-Shift key+Num Lock key.
    CDE/Motif
    • Sticky Keys enable users to press multiple key strokes like Ctrl-Alt-Delete by pressing one key at a time. The keyboard shortcut to enable Sticky Keys is to press the Shift key 5 times.
    • CDE/Motif systems enable users to slow the keyboard repeat rate through the Slow Keys and Repeat Keys features. The keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Slow Keys and Repeat Keys is to hold down either Shift key for 8 seconds.
    • Toggle Keys enable users to hear tones when the Caps lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys are pressed. CDE/Motif systems provide Toggle Keys function but do not provide a keyboard shortcut to enable and disable it.
    • Mouse Keys enable users to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard. CDE/Motif systems provide Mouse Keys function but do not provide an accelerator key sequence to enable and disable it.
    • CDE/Motif systems reserve several key sequences. Six consecutive clicks of the Control key will enable and disable screen-reader numeric keypad functions. Six consecutive clicks of the Alt key are reserved for future AccessX use.

Refer to the Keyboard Bindings section in the "IBM Guidelines for Writing Accessible Applications using 100% Pure Java" for a list of bindings for Windows and CDE/Motif and for a table of reserved keys.

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Testing techniques

Test the software to ensure that it complies with accessibility requirements.

Tools

There are no tools required to test this checkpoint.

Windows techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:
  Action Result
1 Test with StickyKeys enabled.

  1. Go to Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the StickyKeys Settings button and enable the "Use shortcut" option. Select the OK button, then the Apply button.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Activate the StickyKeys feature using the keyboard shortcut (five clicks of the Shift key).
  4. Using only one finger, navigate in your application. Activate multiple key stroke sequences (e.g. Ctrl+P for print) using only one finger.
 Pass:
Multiple key stroke sequences can be activated by pressing and releasing each key sequentially.

Fail:

Multiple key stroke sequences can only be activated by pressing the keys simultaneously.
2 Test with FilterKeys enabled.

  1. Go to Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the FilterKeys Settings button and enable the "Use shortcut" option. Enable the "Ignore repeated keystrokes" option. Select the OK button, then the Apply button.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Activate the FilterKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold the right Shift key for 8 seconds).
  4. Go to a text typing area in your application.
 Pass:
Only one letter is displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.

Fail:

Multiple copies of a letter are displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.
3 Test with ToggleKeys enabled.

  1. Go to Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the ToggleKeys Settings button and enable the "Use shortcut" option.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Activate the ToggleKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold the NumLock key for 5 seconds).
  4. Take turns pressing the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.
 Pass:
An audio tone sounds when you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.

Fail:

No audio tone sounds when you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.
4 Test with MouseKeys enabled.

  1. Go to Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Mouse tab, select the Settings button and enable the "Use shortcut" option.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Activate the MouseKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (Left-Alt+Left-Shift+NumLock).
  4. Use the arrow keys to move the mouse pointer.
 Pass:
The mouse pointer can be moved using the arrow keys.

Fail:

The mouse pointer does not move when using the arrow keys.
5 Test with HighContrast enabled.

  1. Go to Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Display tab, select the Settings button and enable the "Use shortcut" option.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Activate the HighContrast function using the keyboard shortcut (Left-Alt+Left-Shift+PrintScreen).
 Pass:
The display is reformatted to the HighContrast scheme.

Fail:

The display is not reformatted to the HighContrast scheme.

Unix Techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:

  Action Result
1 Test with Sticky Keys enabled.

  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable the keyboard shortcut for Sticky Keys.
  2. Switch focus to your application.
  3. Activate the Sticky Keys feature using the keyboard shortcut.
  4. Using only one finger, navigate in your application. Activate multiple key stroke sequences (e.g., Ctrl-P for print) using only one finger.
Pass:

Multiple key stroke sequences can be activated by pressing and releasing each key sequentially.

Fail:

Multiple key stroke sequences can only be activated by pressing the keys simultaneously.
2 Test with Repeat Keys enabled.

  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable the Repeat Keys keyboard shortcut.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Activate the Repeat Keys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold either Shift key for 8 seconds).
  4. Go to a text typing area in your application. Press and hold a letter key on the keyboard.
 Pass:
Only one letter is displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.

Fail:

Multiple copies of a letter are displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.

3

 Test with Toggle Keys enabled.

  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable the Toggle Keys function.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Activate the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.
 Pass:
An audio tone sounds when you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.

Fail:

No audio tone sounds when you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys.
4 Test with Mouse Keys enabled.

  1. Refer to the AccessX user documentation for information on how to enable Mouse Keys.
  2. Switch focus back to your application.
  3. Move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys.
 Pass:
The mouse pointer can be moved using the arrow keys.

Fail:

The mouse pointer does not move when using the arrow keys.

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©2001, 2008 IBM Corporation

Last updated February 15, 2008.

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